Recently， Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver published the recommendations for the diagnosis and management of non-cirrhotic portal fibrosis （NCPF）/idiopathic portal hypertension （IPH）. The guidelines mainly elaborate on the definition， diagnosis， histological features， natural history， and management of NCPF/IPH， in order to strengthen the understanding of NCPF/IPH-related issues and establish a global consensus. This article makes an excerpt of the key statements in the guidelines.

Shengjiangsan is a classic formula for treating warm diseases with wide clinical application and accurate efficacy. There are different opinions on the origin of this formula and lacks key information research on this formula. Therefore， in this study， we conducted systematic research into the historic origin， composition， and other key information of this Shengjiangsan. Results showed that Shengjiangsan has different versions， with "Neixian Fufang"， "Jiawei Jianghuangwan"， "Peizhensan"， and "Taijiwan" being the same formula with different names. Shengjiangsan was first recorded as "Neixian Fufang" in Wanbing Huichun written by GONG Tingxian from the Ming dynasty， inherited and developed by YANG Lishan from Qing dynasty， and has been passed down to modern times. Pills and powder are two main forms of Shengjiangsan， and powder has become more popular nowadays. According to the measurement system of Ming and Qing dynasties， the recommended dosage and usage of Shengjiangsan are as follows. For the pill version of Shengjiangsan， Bombyx Batryticatus of 74.6 g， Curcumae Longae Rhizoma of 9.325 g， Cicadae Periostracum of 9.325 g， and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma of 149.2 g were processed into pills for preparation. Single dosage is Bombyx Batryticatus of 1.15 g， Curcumae Longae Rhizoma of 0.14 g， Cicadae Periostracum of 0.14 g， and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma of 2.3 g， with halved dosage applied for children. For the powder version of Shengjiangsan， the dosage varied in accordance with the severity of the disease. Bombyx Batryticatus of 1.84 g， Curcumae Longae Rhizoma of 0.28 g， Cicadae Periostracum of 0.92 g， and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma of 3.68 g were processed into powder for patients with mild symptoms. Bombyx Batryticatus of 2.48 g， Curcumae Longae Rhizoma of 0.37 g， Cicadae Periostracum of 1.23 g， and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma of 4.91 g were processed into powder for patients with severe symptoms. Bombyx Batryticatus of 3.68 g， Curcumae Longae Rhizoma of 1.84 g， Cicadae Periostracum of 0.55 g， and Rhei Radix et Rhizoma of 7.36 g were processed into powder for patients with critical conditions. In this formula， four herbs were ground to fine powder. For patients with mild symptoms， the whole formula was divided into four dosages， and each dosage weighed 6.71 g. The 200 mL yellow rice wine and 18.65 g honey were added， and the solution was stirred and taken cold till full recovery. For patients with severe symptoms， the whole formula was divided into three dosages， and each weighed 8.95 g. 300 mL yellow rice wine and 27.98 g honey were added， and the solution was stirred and taken cold. For patients with critical conditions， the whole formula was divided into two dosages， and each weighed 13.43 g. 400 mL yellow rice wine and 37.3 g honey were added， and the solution was stirred and taken cold. Shengjiangsan has the effect of ascending lucidity and descending turbidity， dissipating wind， and clearing heat. It is specialized in treating severe heat in exterior， interior， and triple energizers in warm diseases and has a wide modern clinical application. In this study， the historic evolution and key information of Shengjiangsan were reviewed and analyzed， and the key information table of Shengjiangsan was attached， serving as a reference for scholars' research and a theoretical basis for its market transformation.

This study employed bioinformatics to screen the feature genes related to efferocytosis in diabetic kidney disease(DKD) and explores traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) regulating these feature genes. The GSE96804 and GSE30528 datasets were integrated as the training set, and the intersection of differentially expressed genes and efferocytosis-related genes(ERGs) was identified as DKD-ERGs. Subsequently, correlation analysis, protein-protein interaction(PPI) network construction, enrichment analysis, and immune infiltration analysis were performed. Consensus clustering was conducted on DKD patients based on the expression levels of DKD-ERGs, and the expression levels, immune infiltration characteristics, and gene set variations between different subtypes were explored. Eight machine learning models were constructed and their prediction performance was evaluated. The best-performing model was evaluated by nomograms, calibration curves, and external datasets, followed by the identification of efferocytosis-related feature genes associated with DKD. Finally, potential TCMs that can regulate these feature genes were predicted. The results showed that the training set contained 640 differentially expressed genes, and after intersecting with ERGs, 12 DKD-ERGs were obtained, which demonstrated mutual regulation and immune modulation effects. Consensus clustering divided DKD into two subtypes, C1 and C2. The support vector machine(SVM) model had the best performance, predicting that growth arrest-specific protein 6(GAS6), S100 calcium-binding protein A9(S100A9), C-X3-C motif chemokine ligand 1(CX3CL1), 5'-nucleotidase(NT5E), and interleukin 33(IL33) were the feature genes of DKD. Potential TCMs with therapeutic effects included Astragali Radix, Trionycis Carapax, Sargassum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma, which mainly function to clear heat, replenish deficiency, activate blood, resolve stasis, and promote urination and drain dampness. Molecular docking revealed that the key components of these TCMs, including β-sitosterol, quercetin, and sitosterol, exhibited good binding activity with the five target genes. These results indicated that efferocytosis played a crucial role in the development and progression of DKD. The feature genes closely related to both DKD and efferocytosis, such as GAS6, S100A9, CX3CL1, NT5E, and IL33, were identified. TCMs such as Astragali Radix, Trionycis Carapa, Sargassum, Rhei Radix et Rhizoma, Curcumae Radix, and Alismatis Rhizoma may provide a new therapeutic strategy for DKD by regulating efferocytosis.
Humans ; Computational Biology ; Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology* ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Phagocytosis/genetics* ; Efferocytosis

OBJECTIVES: To create a mixed valvular heart disease (MVHD)-related age-adjusted comorbidity index (MVACI) model for predicting mortality risk of patients with MVHD. METHODS: A total of 4080 patients with moderate or severe MVHD in the China-VHD study were included. The primary endpoint was 2-year all-cause mortality. A MVACI model prediction model was constructed based on the mortality risk factors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Restricted cubic splines were used to assess the relationship between MVACI scores and 2-year all-cause mortality. The optimal threshold, determined by the maximum Youden index from receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, was used to stratify patients. Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate 2-year all-cause mortality and compared using the Log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were employed to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI), evaluating the association between MVACI scores and mortality. Paired ROC curves were used to compare the discriminative ability of MVACI scores with the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation Ⅱ(EuroSCORE Ⅱ) or the age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (ACCI) in predicting 2-year clinical outcomes, while calibration curves assessed the calibration of these models. Internal validation was performed using the Bootstrap method. Subgroup analyses were conducted based on etiology, treatment strategies, and disease severity. RESULTS: Multivariate analysis identified the following variables independently associated with 2-year all-cause mortality in patients: pulmonary hypertension, myocardiopathy, heart failure, low body weight (body mass index <18.5 kg/m²), anaemia, hypoalbuminemia, renal insufficiency, cancer, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and age. The score was independently associated with the risk of all-cause mortality, and exhibited good discrimination (AUC=0.777, 95%CI: 0.755-0.799) and calibration (Brier score 0.062), with significantly better predictive performance than EuroSCORE Ⅱ or ACCI (both adjusted P<0.01). The internal validation showed that the MVACI model's predicted probability of 2-year all-cause mortality was generally consistent with the actual probability. The AUCs for predicting all-cause mortality risk were all above 0.750, and those for predicting adverse events were all above 0.630. The prognostic value of the score remained consistent in patients regardless of their etiology, therapeutic option, and disease severity. CONCLUSIONS The MVACI was constructed in this study based on age and comorbidities, and can be used for mortality risk prediction and risk stratification of MVHD patients. It is a simple algorithmic index and easy to use.
Humans ; Prognosis ; Comorbidity ; Heart Valve Diseases/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Risk Factors ; China/epidemiology* ; Age Factors ; Risk Assessment ; Adult ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of Yangxue Qingnao Pills (YXQNP) combined with amlodipine in treating patients with grade 1 hypertension. METHODS: This is a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study. Adult patients with grade 1 hypertension of blood deficiency and Gan (Liver)-yang hyperactivity syndrome were randomly divided into the treatment or the control groups at a 1:1 ratio. The treatment group received YXQNP and amlodipine besylate, while the control group received YXQNP's placebo and amlodipine besylate. The treatment duration lasted for 180 days. Outcomes assessed included changes in blood pressure, Chinese medicine (CM) syndrome scores, symptoms and target organ functions before and after treatment in both groups. Additionally, adverse events, such as nausea, vomiting, rash, itching, and diarrhea, were recorded in both groups. RESULTS: A total of 662 subjects were enrolled, of whom 608 (91.8%) completed the trial (306 in the treatment and 302 in the control groups). After 180 days of treatment, the standard deviations and coefficients of variation of systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels were lower in the treatment group compared with the control group. The improvement rates of dizziness, headache, insomnia, and waist soreness were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 30 days of treatment, the overall therapeutic effects on CM clinical syndromes were significantly increased in the treatment group as compared with the control group (P<0.05). After 180 days of treatment, brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, ankle brachial index and albumin-to-creatinine ratio were improved in both groups, with no statistically significant differences (P>0.05). No serious treatment-related adverse events occurred during the study period. CONCLUSIONS Combination therapy of YXQNP with amlodipine significantly improved symptoms such as dizziness and headache, reduced blood pressure variability, and showed a trend toward lowering urinary microalbumin in hypertensive patients. These findings suggest that this regimen has good clinical efficacy and safety. (Registration No. ChiCTR1900022470).
Humans ; Amlodipine/adverse effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Hypertension/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Adult ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Double-Blind Method ; Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents/adverse effects*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical effectiveness of veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO) in rescuing children with severe pulmonary contusion. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of four children with severe pulmonary contusion who were treated with VV-ECMO in the pediatric intensive care unit of Xi'an Children's Hospital from April 2021 to December 2024. The general data, laboratory indicators within 24 hours after admission, imaging features, bronchoscopic findings, diagnostic and treatment processes, as well as therapeutic outcomes of the children were analyzed. RESULTS: All four pediatric cases were male, aged 4 years and 9 months, 6 years and 5 months, 8 years and 10 months, and 9 years and 7 months, respectively. One case resulted from a high-altitude fall and three from traffic accidents, all presenting with multiple fractures. All four cases progressed to dyspnea within 1-4 hours post-injury and received endotracheal intubation with invasive ventilator support within 2-5 hours. Three cases exhibited tachycardia upon admission and were treated with norepinephrine, all four cases presented with fine moist rales in the lungs. Imaging studies revealed diffuse exudative changes in all four cases. Bronchoscopy identified diffuse pulmonary hemorrhage, with one case additionally showing rupture of the right intermediate bronchus. Conventional mechanical ventilation failed to correct oxygenation in all cases, prompting initiation of VV-ECMO therapy within 8-22 hours post-injury. One case underwent right thoracic exploration under ECMO support. Following treatment, all four cases demonstrated gradual reduction in bloody airway secretions, resolution of pulmonary exudative changes on imaging, and absence of hemorrhage on bronchoscopy. They were successfully weaned off ECMO and ultimately discharged as cured. CONCLUSIONS Severe pulmonary contusion rapidly leads to respiratory distress, requiring ventilator-assisted ventilation within hours of injury. When conventional ventilator support is ineffective, ECMO can be life-saving, with timely intervention yielding favorable prognosis.
Humans ; Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation/methods* ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Contusions/therapy* ; Lung Injury/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Objective:To discuss the protective effect of velvet antler peptide(VAP)on the postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP)model rats,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:A total of 60 twelve-week-old female SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,alendronate sodium group(1 mg·kg 1·d-1 alendronate sodium administered via gavage),low dose of VAP group(100 mg·kg·d-1 VAP administered via gavage),medium dose of VAP group(200 mg·kg 1·d-1 VAP administered via gavage),and high dose of VAP group(300 mg·kg1·d-1 VAP administered via gavage),and there were 10 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,the rats in the other groups underwent bilateral ovariectomy to establish the PMOP rat models.Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to detect the femur bone mineral density(BMD)of the rats in various groups;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect the levels of serum calcium(Ca2+),serum phosphorus(P),bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP),and procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide(PINP)of the rats in various groups;Kits were used to detect the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)of the rats in various groups;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of bone tissue of the rats in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K),phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K),protein kinase B(AKT),and phosphorylated AKT(p-AKT)proteins in bone tissue of the rats in various groups.Results:Compared with sham operation group,the BMD in femur of the rats in model group was decreased(P＜0.01);compared with model group,the BMD in femur of the rats in alendronate sodium group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group was increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with sham operation group,the levels of Ca2+,P,BALP,PINP,and SOD activity in serum of the rats in model group were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the MDA level was increased(P＜0.01);compared with model group,the level of P in serum of the rats in medium dose of VAP group was increased(P＜0.01),and the levels of Ca2+,P,BALP,PINP and the activities of SOD in serum of the rats in alendronate sodium group and high dose of VAP group were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the level of MDA in serum was decreased(P＜0.05).The HE staining results showed that compared with sham operation group,the bone trabeculae in bone tissue of the rats in model group were thin and fractured,and the medullary cavity was enlarged;compared with model group,the bone trabeculae in bone tissue of the rats in alendronate sodium group,medium dose of VAP group,and high dose of VAP group were thick and tightly arranged,and had more osteocytes.The Western blotting results showed that compared with sham operation group,the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K and p-AKT/AKT in bone tissue of the rats in model group were decreased(P＜0.01);compared with model group,the ratios of p-PI3K/PI3K in bone tissue of rats in different doses of VAP groups were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the ratios of p-AKT/AKT of the rats in alendronate sodium group and high dose of VAP group was increased(P＜0.01).Conclusion:VAP can improve PMOP in the rats,and its mechanisms may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and the reduction of oxidative stress in bone tissue by VAP.

Objective:To discuss the protective effect of polygonatum odoratum polysaccharide(POP)on the mice with cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury(AKI),and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,POP group,and ferroptosis inducer Erastin combined with POP(Erastin+POP)group,and there were 10 mice in each group.The mice in POP group and Erastin+POP group were given intragastric administration of POP(400 mg·kg-1),and on the 7th day,the mice in model group,POP group,and Erastin+POP group were intraperitoneally injected with cisplatin(20 mg·kg-1)to establish the AKI models,the mice in control group were injected with the same volume of normal saline,and the mice in Erastin+POP group were intraperitoneally injected with Erastin(40 mg·kg-1)one day in advance(on the 6th day of the experiment).After 9 d,the mice were killed and the serum and kidney tissue were collected,and the levels of serum creatinine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH)in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by kit;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of kidney tissue of the mice in various groups;the expression levels of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1(FSP1),ferritin heavy chain 1(FTH1),and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups were detected by immunohistochemistry;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)and heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in various groups.Results:Compared with control group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in model group were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was significantly increased(P＜0.01),and the level of GSH was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);most kidney tubules were dilated,the epithelial cells were swollen,the vacuolar degeneration and epithelial cells fell off,and the protein-like tubules could be seen in the lumen;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue were decreased significantly(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with model group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in POP group were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the level of GSH was significantly increased(P＜0.01);the dilatation of kidney tubular lumen,epithelial cell swelling,vacuolar degeneration,and epithelial cell exfoliation were decreased;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue of the mice in POP group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with POP group,the levels of Scr and BUN of the mice in Erastin+POP group were significantly increased(P＜0.01),the level of MDA in kidney tissue was increased(P＜0.05),and the level of GSH was significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the pathological injury of kidney tissue was aggravated obviously;the expression levels of FSP1,FTH1,GPX4,Nrf2,and HO-1 proteins in kidney tissue were significantly decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion:POP can reduce the AKI in the mice induced by cisplatin,and its mechanism may be related to the inhibitory effect of POP on the ferroptosis induced by cisplatin.

Objective To compare the outcomes of transplant kidneys and patient survival between simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation(SPKT)recipients and deceased donor kidney transplant(DDKT)recipients in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with end-stage renal disease(ESRD),and to analyze the risk factors affecting patient survival post-SPKT.Methods Clinical and prognostic data of patients who underwent kidney transplantation from January 27,2003,to January 1,2021,were retrieved from the United Network for Organ Sharing(UNOS)database.A total of 50 230 cases were selected based on inclusion criteria,with 48 669 cases in DDKT group and 1561 cases in SPKT group.Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to compare transplant kidney and patient survival between the two groups,and propensity score matching(PSM)was utilized to balance confounding factors between the groups.Cox regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors affecting patient survival post-SPKT.Results Compared with DDKT group,recipients in SPKT group had a younger median age(P<0.001),a higher proportion of males(P<0.001),lower BMI(P<0.001),shorter dialysis and transplant waiting times(P<0.001),a higher percentage of private medical insurance(P<0.001),a lower proportion of previous transplants(P<0.001),a younger age at diabetes diagnosis(P<0.001),and a lower incidence of peripheral vascular disease(P=0.033).Compared with DDKT group,the donors in SPKT group had a younger median age(P<0.001),a higher proportion of males(P<0.001),lower BMI(P<0.001),and a lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes history(P<0.001).In terms of transplant-related factors,the SPKT group had a shorter donor kidney cold ischemia time(P<0.001),a higher degree of HLA mismatch(P<0.001),and a lower Kidney Donor Profile Index(KDPI)(P<0.001)when compared with DDKT group.The SPKT group had lower serum creatinine levels at discharge(P<0.001),lower rates of postoperative delayed graft function(DGF)and acute rejection(AR)(P<0.001),but longer hospital stays(P<0.001)when compared with DDKT group.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves,both original and after propensity score matching(PSM),consistently showed significantly higher transplant kidney and patient survival rates in SPKT group compared with DDKT group(P<0.001).Cox regression model analysis indicated that recipient age,recipient race,donor age,and donor kidney cold ischemia time were independent risk factors influencing patient survival post-SPKT.Conclusions For ESRD patients with T2DM,SPKT offers improved long-term graft and patient survival rates compared with DDKT.Recipient age,recipient ethnicity,donor age,and cold ischemia time for the donor's kidney are independent risk factors affecting post-SPKT patient survival.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of N-terminal pro-Brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and cardiorespiratory fitness following acute exposure to high altitude.Methods Forty-six subjects were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in June 2022,including 19 males and 27 females.After completing cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET),serological detection of myocardial cell-related markers,and multiple metabolites at a plain altitude(300 meters above sea level),all subjects flew to a high-altitude location(3900 meters above sea level).Biomarker testing and CPET were repeated on the second and third days after arrival at high altitude.Changes in serum biomarker and key CPET indicators before and after rapid ascent to high altitude were compared,and the correlation between serum levels of various myocardial cell-related markers and metabolites and high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness was analyzed.Results Compared with the plain altitude,there was a significant decrease in maximal oxygen uptake after rapid ascent to high altitude[(25.41±6.20)ml/(kg.min)vs.(30.17±5.01)ml/(kg.min),P<0.001].Serum levels of NT-proBNP,Epinephrine(E),plasma renin activity(PRA),angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)and leptin(LEP)significantly increased,with all differences being statistically significant(P<0.05)after acute high altitude exposure.In contrast,no statistically significant differences were observed for creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),myoglobin(Myo)and norepinephrine(NE)(P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP at plain altitude(r=-0.768,P<0.001)and at high altitude(r=-0.791,P<0.001)with maximal oxygen uptake at high altitude.Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that maximal oxygen uptake at plain altitude(t=2.069,P=0.045),NT-proBNP at plain altitude(t=-2.436,P=0.020)and at high altitude(t=-3.578,P=0.001)were independent influencing factors of cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude.Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly decreases after rapid ascent to high altitude,and the baseline NT-proBNP level at plain altitude is closely related to cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude,making it a potential predictor indicator for high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness.